NDI Schedule

Click on dates for full details.

Instruction –1:00-5:00
Barbecue hamburger/hot dog and chips and pop/water dinner for all campers, staff, and campers’ parents from 5-6 p.m. followed by a concert from the Omaha Blues Ed band The Redwoods, 6 until 8 p.m. Dinner and concert will be outside of Millard South, weather permitting. Parents, please bring lawn chairs!

Registration

If you are going to register for NDI and need to be housed in Omaha while at camp, please register and pay as soon as possible. June 30 is the absolute deadline for registering for NDI if you are requesting housing.

Gallery

Students Speak about NDI

From Khalid Ishani, Edina High School, Minnesota, 2016 Public Forum Camp:
"I would first of all like to thank you and all of the NDI staff for a phenomenal week at camp. Attending this camp undoubtedly made me a better debater in every respect. Starting the day with speaking drills really allowed me to get the most out of the drills later on in the day. Furthermore, I really liked how there was always an instructor available to answer any questions we had and work with us individually. I always felt that the instructors cared about us and really wanted us to do well. Finally, the practice debates we held were extremely helpful. The coaches were understanding and we never felt intimidated debating in front of them. At the end of every practice debate, the instructors would give us feedback on what we did well and what we should try to improve.
In addition to the camp making me a better debater, it was a lot of fun. Throughout the week I formed a number of meaningful relationships and lifelong friendships. Our host family did several fun activities with us including: going to the pool, having a bonfire, and going to see a movie.
In conclusion, going to NDI was one of the best decisions I’ve made and I would recommend it to anybody who wants to become a better debater and have fun while doing so.
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From Matthew Matuszeski, Millard North High School, 2016 Lincoln-Douglas Camp:
"My experience at NDI was excellent. My only regret is that this being my last year in high school debate I will be unable to attend next year. The NDI staff were both approachable and accessible; they helped me hone my skills and refine those I currently had. They gave me the tools to be competitive in local and national circuit debate. I cannot thank the staff enough for their devotion to the student base. In regards to the student base, everyone was great. I got to know people I otherwise wouldn't have had the chance to and I got to see good friends with whom I had previously competed. My peers at NDI pushed me more than any group I have had the chance to complete with so far. The best part about attending NDI for me was the community. I joined debate late I'm high school, about halfway through my junior year. Before this I was lost, for lack of a better word. I never really fit in anywhere. Debate gave me an opportunity to express myself in ways I couldn't before and has introduced me to some of the best people in my life today. The NDI experience exemplifies this aspect of the debate community better than anywhere I have been so far. I cannot recommend the experience enough for the community alone. Whatever it is you're looking for I'm a debate camp, I guarantee you NDI has it and more."

From Vanessa Obi, 2015 NDI Policy Alum:
"With NDI I learned about new arguments and how important it is to adapt to my judges, and I also learned how to better budget my time for preparation within the debate round as well as outside of the round. Thank you so much for the amazing learning experience NDI gave me!”

About Nebraska Debate Institute

NDI is a labor of love. Driven by a love of debate, education, and people, NDI Director Fred Robertson founded NDI in 2004. The camp started small, offering only LD in 2004. In 2005, NDI began to offer a Policy camp. 2006 marked the first year of the NDI Public Forum camp. From there, our camp has grown exponentially in enrollment and diversity of student body. NDI is a destination camp for debaters throughout the Midwest and frequently attracts students from all across the United States.

2017 Camp Updates

Live Music Sunday! : After our only afternoon session, from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 23 NDI will host a free barbecue hamburger and hot dog dinner for all campers, staff, campers’ parents, and parents/family of the band The Redwoods, a great Omaha Blues Society Blues Education band. Weather permitting, the dinner/concert will take place outside of Millard South. Dinner, along with chips, pop and water will be served from 5-6. Parents please bring lawn chairs! The Redwoods will play from approximately 6-8 p.m. This is a return performance after a great show last year for NDI.